Maclean Stresses All-for-one Theme

PANTHERS NOTEBOOK

February 4, 1997|By KAREN CROUSE Staff Writer

MONTREAL - — General Manager Bryan Murray wasn't the only one frustrated by the Panthers' passivity after Washington forward Peter Bondra kneed Ray Sheppard in the second period of the two-goal loss to the Capitals Saturday.

Coach Doug MacLean made it clear that when one Panther is unfairly treated, it should be taken as an affront to all.

"Sticking up for teammates is an issue," MacLean said Monday at the Canadiens' Molson Center. "To me, sticking up for teammates isn't an issue of toughness. To me, sticking up for teammates is team play."

Late in the first period Monday, Dave Nemirovsky and Radek Dvorak were slashed in the face on the same shift, at different ends of the ice. The officials took Vincent Damphousse's slash on Dvorak in the attacking zone in their own hands, sending the Canadiens center to the penalty box for four minutes. A minute later, Scott Mellanby scored.

A chance for Podollan

Jason Podollan replaced Sheppard on the second line with Dvorak and left winger Johan Garpenlov, two of the Panthers' most prolific point-getters as of late.

Podollan, 20, who appeared in 11 games with the Panthers in a limited role earlier in the season, realizes the opportunity Sheppard's injury offers.

"Radek's playing well. Garpie's a skilled player. Playing with guys like that, you're pretty much assured of getting the puck a lot," Podollan said. "I should have some chances. I'm just going to concentrate on putting the puck on net and going for the body."

Podollan had a scoring chance foiled in the ninth minute of the second period. With the Canadiens holding a 2-1 lead, Dvorak carried the puck to the low slot, then snapped it to Podollan on the left side. Podollan got off a shot but goaltender Jose Theodore got a piece of it.

Straka a healthy scratch

Martin Straka found himself without a seat on the bench in the game of musical lines. He was a healthy scratch after missing three of four games with a groin injury.

Straka's effort hasn't been reflected in his numbers. He had only one assist in six games in January and hasn't had a goal since scoring two in a tie with Tampa Bay on Dec. 26.

"I think he's played harder this year than he's ever played," Mac-Lean said of the fifth-year forward. "The bottom line is he has four goals. I think he's just lost his confidence around the net."

Svehla wears shield for now

Robert Svehla wore a face shield to protect his swollen left eye. The defenseman's orbital bone was broken by a puck during warmups Saturday.

"Everything's OK," Svehla said.

He came less than an inch of possibly losing an eye - "I was lucky."

He still plans to discard the shield when doctors say he can.

Fitzgerald returns

Tom Fitzgerald, returning after missing three games with a pulled stomach muscle, centered Nemirovsky and left winger Dave Lowry. ... Montreal center Saku Koivu, who has missed 24 games with a torn left knee ligament, participated in the morning skate and said he hopes to play Saturday vs. Hartford.